Royal L. Downen, 67, of Vincennes, passed away at 10:00 pm Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Gentle Care Nursing Home.
He was born in Vincennes on October 25, 1950 to Sam and Hazel (Thorne) Downen.
Royal graduated from the first class of South Knox High School in 1968 and was a lifelong farmer. He enjoyed farm stock tractor pulling and loved spending time with his family. Royal enjoyed watching sports and was an avid fan of Indiana University, Indianapolis Colts, and the Indiana Pacers. His famous Five P’s of Life were Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
Royal was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Hazel (Thorne) Downen: a sister, Mary Abigail Downen, and two brothers, Paul Addison Downen, and Sam A. “Dreamer” Downen.
Survivors include his brothers and sisters, Victor and Karen Downen of Vincennes, Tony and Carolyn Downen of Vincennes, Martha ”Duffer” Downen of Vincennes, Robert and Carol Downen of Wheatland, Gloria and Earl Worland of Linton, Sandra and James Hall of Alabama, Rachel Lowe of Alabama, Georgia and Al Stasulis of Mississippi, John Downen of New York, and his special little buddy “Little Red” (Kylee Ann Arvin) along with several nieces, nephews, and several great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, August 3, 2018 at Goodwin Funeral Home with Ray Tromley officiating. Burial will follow in the Upper Indiana Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Good Samaritan Hospice of Vincennes in his name. Goodwin Funeral Home is honored to care for the Royal Downen family